NIFTY FIFTY

Although Ron Simmons played for FSU before they joined the Atlantic Coast Conference, this jersey with a decorative collar and ACC patch bears a number all Seminole fans recognize. The hulking nose guard from Warner Robins, Georgia, made his No. 50 well known over four seasons from 1977 to 1980. He remains in the program’s top five in several statistical categories with 25 sacks, 383 tackles, 44 tackles for loss and 17 forced fumbles. Simmons also led FSU to the first two Orange Bowl appearances in program history. Coach Bobby Bowden credited Simmons’ arrival for getting Florida State football back on track. “Ron Simmons was to our program what Tony Dorsett was to Pittsburgh. Ron was the catalyst in turning our program around,” Bowden said. On September 24, 1988, FSU made Simmons the first Seminole defender with a retired number.